A file picture of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief
The Pakistan government today conceded a key demand of anti-government protestors and said it would register a case of murder against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and 20 others, for their alleged role in the clashes that killed 14 supporters of the cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri.
This is the first major concession by the government and a sign of its increasing vulnerability to the threats by cleric Qadri and cricketer turned opposition politician Imran Khan, the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, who have been protesting against alleged rigging in last year's general election.
"A process for the FIR has started and the government will not appeal against court orders," Pakistan's defence minister, Khawaja Asif said during a debate in Pakistan's national assembly.
The Lahore high court, which was hearing the case related to the clashes in Lahore's Model Town area on 17 June, had ordered the registration of a murder case against Prime Minister Sharif, his brother Shahbaz, his nephew Hamza Shahbaz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Railways Minister Rafique, Information Minister Pervaiz.
Pakistani police, however, refused to register the murder case despite the court order on framing of charges.
Qadri's party. Pakistan Awami Tehreek, had named them in the murder of 14 people who were killed in clashes with the police on June 17 in Lahore, just a few days ahead of his arrival from Canada.